Electric locking device



DeQ24,194o, J. SCHNEIDER 2,225,715

ELECTRIC LOCKING DEVI CE Filed March 4, 1938 ATT EY.

Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,225,715 ELECTRIC Locxmc nnvlcsJohann Schneider, Vienna, Austria Application Marchd, 1938, Serial'No.'194,ooz p e In Austria March 5; 1937 s '10 Claims. (cam-314) Thisinvention relates to electromagnetically acting burglar-proofing devicesequipped with alarm-giving means, of the type in whichthe renderinginoperative of the protecting device is effected by means of acontrolling relay. Protecting devices of this description have alreadybeen proposed, but these devices are very complicated in construction,consume a great deal of electric current, and are subject to prematurewear since their electrical parts are kept permanently under current.

The present invention enables these drawbacks to be obviated byarranging for the operation of the control relay by means of which theprotecting device is rendered inoperative to be effected by means of aplurality of switch members actuated by switching relays and adapted toclose the current circuit to the control relay only provided theswitching relays are operated in a cer tain predetermined order; at thesame time these latter relays are deprived of current again after eachclosure of the current circuit, whereas when they are operated in anyother but predetermined order these relays interrupt the switchingcurrent, and the switch members return into their position of rest. I

In the accompanying drawing there is shown diagrammatically, and by wayof example, an embodiment of the invention comprising a control relayand five switching relays.

- The locking bolt 2 is stressed by a spring i which strives to retainthe bolt in the unlocking position, and is retained in its lockingposition by two pawls l pivoted at 5 and forming with their free ends 4the armatures of an electromagnet 8 interposed in a current circuit Awhich can be closed at the contacts I by the armature B of a controlrelay 9. When this circuitis closed the electromagnet 8 lifts the pawlsl oi the locking device out of engagement with the bolt 2, with theresult that this device is unlocked.

In accordance with the invention it only becomes possible to operate thecontrol relay when switch members interposed in the switching currentcircuit of this control relay are actuated in a certain order which ispredetermined and adjustable at will. switching relays b -b areconnected in parallel in the current circuit .5, eachoi these switchingrelays being adapted to be selectively connected into the currentcircuit by means of a switch element, for example by means of thepressbutton switches il -a Each of ,these switching relays coacts withone or the armatures -0 which are eurrentrconducting and take the formIn the present instance five PATENT a s of switch members. with the oneend oi'each of these armatures there is associated one 0! a set ofhook-shaped and likewise currentecon ducting retaining imembers d d,which hold f these armatures fast in the circuit-closing positionprovided the switch members be operated in the predetermined order orsuccession. These retaining members are stressed by current-con;

ducting springs'e -e connected one after the other into the switchingcurrent circuit in the following manner. From the control relay 9 a wireill to the spring e from,

which the circuit continues through the retaining member 11 tothearmature c, from the other end of the armature through a conductor IIto The armatures c -c are the armature c through d 'and e to'a wire IL.

thence through e and d to c, from the other end of this armature andthrough aconductor H to the armature c through'd and e to a con-' ductorl2, throughe and. d to the armature c,

and thence. through a conductor 15 to a contact 16. This contact I 8coacts with a spring-stressed contact lever l9 which is connected at idto the one branch of the switching current circuit. The

spring l1 causes the contact lever 19 to'bear' constantly against thecontact It. The second branch of thecurrent circuit Bis directlyconnected to the control relay 9. The armatures 0 -0 only come into theabove-described circuit.

closing position provided they are actuated in a certain predeterminedorder., In the present instant it is assumed that this order is, thatindicated by the indices.

' On actuation of the press-button a electric current flows throughconduits 31, I8, 39 and 40 whereby the switching relay b is excitedandthe armature c attracted. This armaturethereby gagement withd Thearmatures 0 and c are thereby conductively interconnected, and theswitching current circuit'put in readlnessiorthe operation ofthe controlrelay up to the conductor IL] 0n continued .actuationoi thepress-buttons a, a and afifin thisjorder, thecorresponding armaturesjareoperated in the same manner, so

comes into engaging contact with the retaining that finally, afteractuation of the switch a, the I switching current circuit for thecontrol relay 9 is closed, with the resuit'that this relayisoperated.The armature 3 of this relay, when attracted; bridgesthe interruptionpoints 1, brings about excitation oi the electromagnet 3, and therebyunlocks the locking device. In the described cycle of operation each ofthe switching relays is only temporarily connected into the currentcircuit, since when the press-button is released, the current-branch forthe respective relay (b to b) is immediately interrupted. Independentlythereof, however, the armatures -0 designed to act as switch members arearrested in the circuit-closing position by the respective retainingmembers.

Operation of the control-relay 3 is prevented from occurring onactuation of the switch members or switch elements in an order otherthan the prescribed order, in the following manner:

To the current circuit 8 is connected a current circuit C in which twoelectromagnets 23 and 2| are connected in parallel. This current circuitis normally interrupted at sets or contacts 1 which are connected inparallel, and which may be bridged over, as required, by thecurrentconducting armatures c -c It now, for example, instead of thepress-button a the press-button a were to be actuated first theswitching relay b would thereby be ex cited first. This relay thenattracts, however, not only the armature 0 but also the armature c sincethis latter armature has not been attracted by b and therefore has notbeen arrested by (F. As soon as the armature c is attracted by theswitching relay b it bridges over the contacts f and closes the currentcircuit C. Theconsequence is that the magnet 20 and also the magnet 2|are excited. Hie magnet 23 attracts the switch lever l3 which isconnected with the current supply line 31 at and swings about point It,and consequently interrupts the switching current circuit at It, so thatit becomes impossible under any circumstances to excite the controlrelay 9. The electromagnet 2| actuates an unlocking rod 25 furnishedwith cam lugs h -h adapted to coact with the armatures c-c, in such asense that this rod restores, against the action or aspring 24, all thearmatures c to c into the starting position, i. e. into a position inwhich the armatures also interrupt the switching current circuit. Thesame result is brought about 50 ii any one of the other switches o to ais actuated first instead of the switch (1 The respective armatures arethen attracted by the next following switching relays in the sequence(1. e.

in the present instance by the relays denoted by higher index figures).But even in the event of the switching relay a being actuated firstwhile the order in which the succeeding relays are operated is changedfrom that to which the protecting device has been set the same resultwill be achieved, since the switch membenc is thrown out of the currentcircuit closing position again by the rod 25 on operation of theelectromagnet 2|. To the current circuit C there is preferably connectedan alarm current circuit D which is normally interrupted at the contacts23. I! then on actuation of the switch members in any sequence otherthan that for which the protectin device is set, for example, if switcha is closed current flows through conduits 31, 33, 39 and I0 and relay bis excited and thearmature c is attracted so that current also flowsfrom conduit 31 through conduit 33, switch 1 conduits 34, 35, relay 2!),conduit 36 to conduit 40 and the relay 20 is operated whereby thearmature I3 is attracted and not only the switching current circuit isinterrupted at It but at the same time the alarm current circuit isclosed at 23, so that connected to the current circuit C a currentcircuit E in which there are connected in parallel five press-buttons g-gr constructed similarly to the press-buttons a a 0n actuation of anyone of the press-buttons 9 -9 the current circuit EC is closed, theelectromagnets 20 and 2! are excited, and the latter of these twomagnets by means of the rod 25 returns all the armatures 0 -0 into theirstarting position.

In the form of construction of the invention shown by way of example inthe accompanying drawings the order in which the switch members have tobe operated to put the protecting device in a condition to enable theprotected locking device to be unlocked is assumed to be that indicatedby the index figures used. The number of switch elements used is amatter of choice. It is also possible to make the switching device inthe form oi a dialling disc.

The described form of construction may be simplifled by making the relayarmature 8 itself a locking member for the bolt. This relay armature ispreferably provided with a contact bridge 26 adapted to interconnect twocontacts 21, 28 pertaining to the positive arm and the negative :arm,respectively, in which latter the restoring relay 2| is interposed. Whentherefore, after actuation of the switchingrelays b to U, the controlrelay 3 is operated to liberate the locking member the relay 2| issimultaneously operated through the current circuit closed by thecontacts 21, 23, and 28, and the armatures 0 -0 are returned into theposition oi rest, with the result that the relay 3 becomes dead. Thearmature 3 of this relay is then moved by a restoring spring 23 so as tobring about interruption oi the circuit at the contacts 21, 23.

In addition there is provided at the pressbutton a a contact bridge 30which is insulated from bridge a and is adapted to interconnect twocontacts 3|, 32. From the contact 3| a wire leads to the supply line 23to the alarm device, and from the contact 32 a wire leads to thenegative arm of the main current circuit. If therefore one result ofactuating the press-button a is to close the current circuit for theswitching relay b a further result, achieved simultaneously by the setof contacts 3| and 32 which'is insulated from the set of contacts forthe relay D is to close the negative circuit arm for the. alarm device22, of which the positive armis directly connected with the supply line31 at the branching oi! point 33. By virtue of this arrangement itbecomes possible to use the alarm device as a signalling device, whilein addition persons tampering with the device are given no clue as tothe proper sequence of operation 01 the pressbuttons by the absence ofan alarm signal.

The electric protecting device according to the invention may be usedfor protecting doors of buildings, flats, safes and other receptacles,and also vehicles and the like. It is likewise possible to protect notonly doors but also any other mechanical or electrical parts with theaid 01' this invention.

a series of electroma'gnets, electric switches opi electromagneticswitch opener foropening said switches against theaction of saidcatches, an

electromagneticlock operating device, an auxiliary switch connected withsaidlock operating device and with, said switch opener, such con--nections between saidkeyboard, said source of electrical energy, saidelectromagnets, said electric switches, said electromagnetic switchopener, said electromagnetic lock operating device, and said auxiliaryswitchthat when acertain combination of keys on the keyboard is operatedin a certain sequence the electromagnetic lock operating device isconnected to said source of electrical energy whereby said lockoperating device is actuated and said auxiliary switch is closed wherebysaid switch opener is actuated,'but when any other combination of saidkeys is operated at least one of said electric switches is directlyopened againstthe-action of said catches and said lock operating deviceis disconnected from said source.

2. The combination a keyboard having a number of keys with a source ofelectrical energy, aseries of electromagnets, electric switches operatedby said electromagnets, an electromagnetic lock operating device, suchconnections between said keyboard, said source of electrical energy,said electromagriets, said electric switches, and said electromagneticlock operating'device, that when a certain combination of keys on thekeyboard is operated in a certain sequence the electromagnetic lockoperating device is connected to said source of electrical energy,whereby 40 said lock operating device is actuated, but when one of saidkeys pertaining to said certain combination is operated in another butsaid certain sequence one of said electromagnets definitely opens one ofsaid switches and said lock operat- 45'ing device-is disconnected fromsaid source.

3. The combination of a keyboard having a numberof keys with a source ofelectrical energy, a series of electromagnets, electric switchesoperated by said electromagnets, an electromagnetic 50 lock operatingdevice, such connections between said keyboard, said source ofelectrical energy,

said electromagnets, said electric switches, and said electromagneticlock operating device, that when a certain combination of keys on thekey- 55 board is operated in a certain sequence the electromagnetic lockoperating device is connected to said source of electrical energy,whereby said lock operating device is actuated, but when one of saidkeys pertaining to-said certain combina- 60 tion is operated in anotherbut said certain sequence one oi. said electromagnets definitely opensone of said switches and said lock operating device is disconnected fromsaid source, said lock operating device comprising a control relay, an65 independent electric circuit, a switch in said independent circuitand being adapted to be operated by said control relay, an electromagnetin said independent circuit, and a lock releasing mechanism forming thearmature of said last mentioned electromagnet.

4. In an electrical device of the type described,

the combination of akeyboard having a number of keys, at source ofelectrical energy, a step by step mechanism, said mechanism including a15 series of electromagnets, electric switches opererated by saidelectromagnets, retaining catches {or holding said switches in closedposition, an

operating device, such connections within the I step by step mechanismthat when certain predetermined keys of the key board are manipulated ina certain predetermined order said lock operating device is connected bythe step by step mechanismto the source of electrical energy 1 wherebysaid lock operating device is actuated and said auxiliary switch isclosed whereby said release mechanism resets said step by stepmechanism, and when said certain keys are manipulated in any other thanthe certain predetermined order at least one of said electromagnetsopens at least one ofsaid switches and said lock operating device isdisconnected from said source.

5. An electric combination device comprising a controlcircuit, a controlrelay in said circuit, a plurality of switch means orming,'when inclosed condition, part of said control circuit, a plurality of switchingrelays individuallyoperatively connected with said switch means and,when excited, being adapted to close said switch means, an auxiliarycircuit arranged in parallel with said control circuit, a switchinterposed in said auxiliary circuitand being operatively connected withand adapted to be closed by said control relays when the latter isexcited, and auxiliary relay interposed in said auxiliary circuit, andacontrol circuit switch interposed in said control circuit and beingoperatively connected with and adapted to be opened by said auxiliaryrelay upon excitation thereof and inter'rupting said control circuitwhenever said control relay has been excited. I

6. An electric control system comprising a control circuit, a controlrelay in said control circuit, a plurality of switch means interposedinseries in and forming, when in closed condition, part oi! said controlcircuit, each of said switch means.

comprising a switch member, and a plurality of switching circuitsarranged in parallel with respect to current flow and being shunted tosaid control circuit, a switch and a switching relay interposed inseries-in each of said switching circuits, said switching relays beingpairwise and counteractively operatively associated with said switchmembers, said switching relays individually actuating said switchmembers upon consecutively closing of said switches in predeterminedsequence and said switching relays, except one, pairwise actuating saidswitch members upon closing of said switches in another sequence, saidswitch members, when individually actuated,

closing said switch means and said control circuit tor actuating saidcontrol relay and, when pairwise actuated, one of said switch membersconstituting a simultaneously actuated pair closing and the other memberopening the switch means with which it is associated and interrupt ingsaid control circuit.

'1. An electric control system comprising a control circuit, a controlrelay in said circuit, a plurality of switch means forming, when inclosed condition, part of said control circuit, a plurality of switchingrelays individually operatively connected with said switch means and,when excited, being adapted to close said switch means, an auxiliarycircuit arranged in parallel with said lcontrol circuit. a switchinterposed in said auxiliary circuit and being operatively connectedwith and adapted to be closed by said control relays when the latter isexcited, an auxiliary relay interposed in said auxiliary circuit. acontrol ciricuit switch interposed in said control circuit and beingoperatively connected with and adapted to 'be opened by said auxiliaryrelay upon excitation thereof and interrupting said control circuitwhenever said control relay has been excited, and another auxiliaryrelay interposed in said auxiliary circuit, switch opening meansoperatively connected with said other auxiliary relay and also with saidswitch means and being operated by said other auxiliary relay uponexcitation thereof and, when operated, opening said switch means.

8. An electric combination device comprising a control circuit, acontrol relay in said control circuit, a plurality of switch meansinterposed in series in and forming, when in closed condition, part ofsaid control circuit, each 01' said switch means comprising a switchmember, a plurality of switching circuits arranged in parallel withrespect to current flow and being shunted to said control circuit, aswitch and a switching relay interposed in series in each of saidswitching circuits, said switching relays being pairwise andcounteractively operatively associated with said so-switch members, saidswitching relays individually actuating said switch members uponconsecutively closing or said switches in predetermined sequence andsaid switching relays, except one, pairwise actuating said switchmembers upon closing or said switches in another sequence, said switchmembers, when individually actuated, closing said switch means and saidcontrol circuit for actuating said control relay and, when pairwiseactuated, one of said switch members constituting a simultaneouslyactuated pair closing and the other member opening the switch means withwhich it is associated and interrupting said control circuit, and analarm circuit, an alarm 'means and an electromagnetically operated alarmswitch in said alarm circuit, an alarm operating circuit and a relay foroperating said alarm switch therein, a plurality 01' other alarmswitches in said alarm operating circuit and being arranged -in parallelwith respect to current flow and being individually operativelyconnected with said switch members and individually closed thereby uponsuch operation of said switch members that they open said switch means.

9. -An electric combination device comprising a control circuit, acontrol relay in said circuit, a plurality oi switch means forming, whenin closed condition, part of said control circuit, a plurality ofswitching relays individually operatively con- .nected with said switchmeans and, when excited, being adapted to close said switch means. anauxiliary circuit arranged in parallel with said control circuit, aswitch interposed in said auxiliary circuit and being operativelyconnected with and adapted to be closed by said control relays when thelatter is excited, an auxiliary relay in- 'terposed in said auxiliarycircuit, and an alarm circuit and an electrically operated alarm meanstherein, an alarm switch interposed in said alarm circuit and beingoperatively connected with and adapted to be closed by said auxiliaryrelay upon excitation thereof and causing said alarm to report wheneversaid control relay is excited and said switch is closed.

I 10. An electric combination device comprising a control circuit, acontrol relay in said control circuit, a plurality of switch meansinterposed in,

series in and forming, when in closed condition, part of said controlcircuit, each of said switch means comprising a switch member, aplurality ofof switching circuits arranged in parallel with respect tocurrent flow, and being shunted to said control circuit, a switch and aswitching relay interposed in series in each of said switching circuits,said switching relays being pairwise and counteractively operativelyassociated with said switch members, said switching relays individuallyactuating said switch members upon consecutively closing of saidswitches in predetermined sequence and said switching relays, exceptone, pairwise actuating said switch members upon closing of saidswitches in another sequence, said switch members, when individuallyactuated, closing said switch means and said control circuit foractuating said control relay and, when pairwise actuated, one of saidswitch members constituting a simultaneously actuated pair closingandthe other member opening the switch means with which it is associatedand interrupting said control circuit, and an alarm circuit, an alarmmeans and an alarm switch in said alarm circuit, said alarm switch beingconnected and adapted to be simultaneously closed with that one of saidswitches which is closed first in said predetermined sequence, wherebythe alarm reports also when the device is operated correctly,

J OHANN SCHNEIDER.

